An Alternative Natural History of Sussex.
This blog shows the highlights of my day to day findings as a naturalist and ecologist living and working in Sussex. Delivered with a pinch of nihilism, a dash of sarcasm and absolutely no tweeness, here is my attempt to show natural history as it really is: Brutal, beautiful, uncompromising and fascinating...and occasionally ridiculous.

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About Me

I have been studying natural history for some twenty-eight years, fifteen in a professional capacity. I currently work in Sussex as the Senior Ecologist for Sussex Wildlife Trust where I advise on the management of reserves based upon the results of the ecological surveys I carry out. Views here are my own however. I run a number of identification courses and I also do a small amount of freelance ecological consultancy. My main areas of interest are birds, plants and invertebrates and a lot of my spare time is spent in the field. I don't look like a birdwatcher.

Today has already been a long day. After a farm survey this morning, I quickly called in at Cowdray to take some shots of the Wood Cricket nymphs. I am fairly confident that's what they are anyway and after a process of elimination, I find it hard to think what else they could be. They are certainly not bush-crickets of any type. There were dozens there crawling around in the leaf litter but they were pretty fast and I didn't get too close with the camera. Can somebody with experience of these little critters confirm the ID please?

I found this Alosterna tabacicolor on Cow Parsley (I rarely see much nectaring on Cow Parsley) and thought I would take the opportunity for a photo. This is the first one I have seen this year.

Finally, I went and met Penny Green at the bridge at Fittleworth to look for Club-tailed Dragonflies. I saw a Brassica Bug which was new to me and also another of the striking bug Corizus hyoscyami. In the distance I spotted a single Ben Rainbow searching for dragonflies on the other side of the river but other than lots of Banded Demoiselles, it was very quiet. Feeling tired and hay-fevery, I headed back and we bumped into Ben again. At that exact moment we saw a Club-tailed Dragonfly just as the sun was going in and only for a few seconds. I must go back and get better views but I was happy with the ID. That leaves me on 3340.

4 Response to "Is this a first for Sussex?"

Ralph Hobbs
Says:

Congratulations Graeme - wood cricket it has to be from the pics, and from your description of the numbers present and the leaf litter habitat etc. I am passing this amazing news on to John Paul the Sussex Orthoptera recorder. Best wishes